Cape York and Outback Wilderness Adventures, Red Centre, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges and Western Australia
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36 Day 6. Weipa, Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, Bramwell Station. Today, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, which is normally off-limits to the general public. Commencing at Stone's Crossing, you will be welcomed by a ranger from Australia Zoo, who will provide an introduction to the wildlife, sonar detector tracking, as well as the important research programs that take place at the property. After lunch at Camp Coolibah, discover the movement of the crocodiles in the area and the endangered Speartooth Shark. Here, you will also see a demonstration on how crocodile cages are deployed and operated. Afterwards, visit Bluebottle Creek and uncover the geology of the region, the significance of bauxite and how the plateau filters water to ensure survival of endangered species. You will also learn about bush tucker and the native flora, including the Sarsaparilla Bush and Hanguana Malayana. Later, continue to Bramwell Station, where you will enjoy dinner. Stay: Bramwell Station. BLD Day 7. Bramwell Station, Cape York Peninsula, Punsand Bay. Begin your adventure to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula today. Skirting Jardine River National Park, continue through the traditional lands of the Injinoo Aboriginal people. The journey becomes adventurous when you travel on some of the original sections of the Old Telegraph Track, carved out in the 1880s and where some of the first telegraph poles can still be seen. Stop at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch and enjoy a refreshing swim. Later, cross the Jardine River by ferry, then onto Punsand Bay, Australia's northernmost town. Two Night Stay: Punsand Bay. BLD Day 8. Punsand Bay, Tip of Cape York. Thanks to its unique location, just 5 kilometres from the tip, Punsand Bay is the perfect starting point for your Cape York exploration. Awake this morning to sweeping views of the tip and after breakfast, travel along a 4WD track to Frangipani Beach. From here, take a mildly challenging but thoroughly awe-inspiring walk to the tip of the peninsula to experience being at the Australian mainland's most northerly point. Soak up this truly once-in-a- lifetime moment and take in the sweeping views over the Torres Strait. You may also wish to take an optional helicopter flight over the tip (own expense). Later, travel to historic Somerset, once the official government residence of the cape. See the ruins of the homestead, the site of a station established by John Jardine in 1863. BLD Day 9. Punsand Bay, Thursday Island. Cruise across Endeavour Strait to Thursday Island. One of 18 inhabited islands in the Torres Strait group that lie between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, Thursday Island is home to around 3,000 people, primarily of Melanesian descent. Whilst today it is a multicultural outpost, Thursday Island was once a base for pearling luggers. Today, join a local guide to discover the island's intriguing history. Step back in time with a visit to Green Hill Fort, located atop the island's highest hill. Once used as munitions storage Learn about crocodile research programs at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve www.kimberleywilderness.com.au